The young man stepped off the bus throwing a hand in front of his face to shield his eyes from the blinding glare of the sun. Realizing that his efforts were in vain, Dante lowered his hand shooting a contemptuous look at the blazing star before making his way to where the luggage was being unloaded and carelessly strewn on the sidewalk.

The elderly driver impatiently reached for a large duffel bag intending to fling it on the pile with the rest of the baggage, but grunted in frustration when it refused to move. The item was much heavier than he had initially thought.

Dante gently pushed the man aside and grabbed the strap of the bag. He slung it over his shoulder with ease. The driver watched with curious irritation. He considered asking the boy what was in the satchel, but years of experience warranted his silence. It's best not to pry into other people's business.

Dante gave the man a nod of approval and turned to survey the depot. His eyes stopped on a figure a few feet away. Only someone who knew the figure would be able to notice the impatience in the calm stance.

Flicking a lock of white hair out of his eye, Dante made is way through the crowd and stood before Vergil. The twins regarded each other in silence until Dante's wit got the better of him.

"What?" he asked snidely holding out his arms to his brother. "No hug?"

Vergil blinked at him impassively. "You wreak," he informed the other.

Dante scoffed. "Tell ya what, next time I'll let you have the honor of sitting on bus for five hours with no air conditioning."

"Public transpiration is an undue nuisance," Vergil commented. He gave his brother a sly grin. "Perhaps you should invest in a dependable automobile instead of that erratic contraption that somehow manages to qualify as a motorcycle."

Dante made an effort to try to hide his offense at the statement. "My bike runs just fine," he lied. "I just didn't have the money for gas."

"Stop squandering all of your earnings on frivolous indulgences and that wouldn't be an issue," Vergil suggested contemptuously.

Dante smirked at him. "And I thought I needed to eat every day," he remarked with sarcasm. "What was I thinkin'?"

Vergil ignored Dante's rant and walked with a steady gait toward the exit. He knew his brother had trouble keeping a job and that money was tight. But he also knew that Dante spent more than a fair allotment of his wages on unnecessary luxuries.

Dante resolutely followed his brother, occasionally casting a irritated glare at the blue clad man's back before lightly brushing passed Vergil so that he could take the lead. "So," he called back ignoring the sneer on his twin's face, "where're we going?"

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, Vergil nimbly stepped ahead of Dante. "I assume you're hungry," he said.

Dante grinned. "Now that you mention it."

Vergil halted in front of a small diner. Dante looked at the establishment with disappointment. He considered suggesting something a bit more lively, but decided to keep silent. Vergil always choose the most inconspicuous locales despite Dante's persistent complaints. Besides, Dante knew that Vergil would be the one to pay the bill so he could really find little to complain about. The younger twin was wise enough to know the value of a free meal.

Dante pushed open the door of the cafe and a cool breeze whipped against his sweat stained clothes turning the perspiration to flecks of icy drops, thus making him shiver. Locating an empty booth in the back the shaggy haired youth approached it and dropped his bag to the floor with a loud clang. Dante nudged the object under the seat with his toe and sat down heavily. He leaned his back against the wall and stretched his legs across the free space of the bench letting his feet dangle in the aisle.

In contrast, Vergil easily lowered himself onto the seat opposite his brother. In doing so, he adjusted the unseen object that hung at his left side. The katana remained out of sight, hidden in the folds of his long blue jacket.

Dante pointed a finger at Vergil. "Someday you're gonna get busted for carrying a concealed weapon," he advised with a smile.

"Worry about yourself, Dante," Vergil replied darting his eyes to where his twin had his own blade hidden.

A young woman walked over to the table and greeted the boys in a voice thick with bored irritation.

Dante looked up at her and smiled. "What's wrong, babe?" he asked. "Rough day?"

Giving only a scornful look in response, the girl asked what they wanted to drink.

"Beer," Dante answered.

Still refusing to lighten her mood, the young lady huffed. "Then you might want to go some place else."

"Well, thanks for the advise," Dante said as he prepared to get up.

Vergil spoke his brother's name evenly. "Don't be obnoxious." He turned to face the girl. "Coke."

She scribbled quickly on her notepad, then giving Dante a cold glance, left them.

Dante watched her leave with a subdued expression. He looked at Vergil. "Obnoxious?" he repeated. "Do I embarrass you, bro?"

"Constantly," the other answered.

"Alright," Dante said with a triumphant grin. "I'll behave. But only because that lame hairstyle of yours is enough embarrassment for anyone."

Vergil eyed him. "When was the last time you washed your hair?" He squinted at Dante. "Is that blood?"

Combing his fingers through his unkempt locks, Dante nodded. "It was a rough night."

The jovial temper of both men lessened to something more somber. Their blue eyes met and Vergil asked, "How many?"

"Not enough," Dante replied.

The waitress returned setting a glass of coke in front of each of them. Her eyes scanned them both intently. "Brothers?"

"We're twins," Dante told her holding his hair back in a mocking imitation of Vergil's. He let it fall with a grin. "But I'm the good-looking one."

Vergil sighed in annoyance as the girl managed a half hearted smile at Dante. He remained silent while his brother ordered a pizza and chatted insignificantly with the young woman. Once she left, Vergil looked at Dante. "Do you even know her name?" he asked.

Dante stared blankly at his brother. "Who?"

"The girl you were just flirting with."

Dante scoffed. "I was just being nice."

Vergil smiled. Dante hated that smile. It was too secretive to be genuine. It was the same smile Vergil always got when he emerged victorious in any game or argument. Dante forced himself to ignore the smirk and changed the subject.

"So, what're we doin' tonight?"

"I think you already know the answer to that," Vergil returned.

Dante nodded. "Where?"

"Just outside the city," Vergil answered. His hand went down to grip the hilt of the sword that rested at his side.

Dante in turn checked the bag beneath his seat. "Well, I hope there's plenty of guests," he mused with a sadistic grin. "I'm planing on one hell of a party."

Vergil matched Dante's expression with one of his own morbid smiles. "What an interesting analogy."

"Who knows," Dante said leaning back, "maybe this time we'll hit the jackpot."